The 3rd installment of the Magic Rat Film Showcase will highlight Women In Film, a special evening on Wednesday, July 16th celebrating the voices, visions and stories of women filmmakers.
This showcase is part of a broader conversation on women in film and features powerful works by Cassie LeFevre, Madison Santamaria (Checkbox Other), and Hannah Tran (There’s a Lane for Us Here). These films bring underrepresented narratives to the forefront, offering fresh, deeply personal perspectives on identity, history, and cultural preservation.
The animated short Checkbox Other explores the complexities of biracial identity, while There’s a Lane for Us Hereexamines Denver’s Little Saigon, where Vietnamese and Southeast Asian refugees have worked tirelessly to preserve collective memory and community identity through decades of cultural change.
“Curating this showcase is about more than selecting great films – it’s about creating space where women creators and business owners can build real relationships through storytelling,” said Shantel Hansen, award-winning documentary filmmaker and curator of the Magic Rat Film Showcase Series. “These events are planting seeds for future collaborations and connection. Film has always been a way to bring people together – now we’re connecting art, community, and purpose.”
The doors will open at 6 p.m. for happy hour, followed by the 7 p.m. Screening + Talk Back with the directors.
Attendees can expect an interactive, welcoming evening that blends independent film with the casual elegance of Magic Rat’s cocktail and food offerings. From film lovers to hotel guests, local artists to business leaders — everyone is invited to experience the power of storytelling up close and personal.
“The last two showcases have ignited a real interest in film within our community,” said Carl Pratt, General Manager at The Elizabeth Hotel. “It’s exciting to see Fort Collins rally around local creators while also preparing for bigger stages like the 2027 Sundance Film Festival. We’re proud to be part of that momentum.”
Magic Rat Film Showcase tickets are $10 each and can be in advance at www.theelizabethcolorado.com/events/magic-rat-film-showcase-women-in-film.
The Magic Rat Film Showcase is an ongoing event that serves as a platform for filmmakers from all walks of life to share their stories and deepen the relationship between art and community.
The next screening will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 20th featuring METHOD by Nkosi Roma, a psychological drama that blurs the line between performance and reality as aspiring actor Gideon confronts his deepest fears under the watchful eye of an obsessive theater director.
(Photos include: Cassie LeFevre, Madison Santamaria (Checkbox Other), and Hannah Tran (There’s a Lane for Us Here))
